Reduced effective population size in an overexploited population of the Nile crocodile (Crocodylus niloticus)

Unchecked exploitation of wildlife resources is one of the major factors influencing species persistence throughout the world today. A significant consequence of exploitation is the increasing rate at which genetic diversity is lost as populations decline. Recent studies suggest that life history traits affecting population growth, particularly in long-lived species, may act to moderate the impact of population decline on genetic variation and lead to remnant populations that appear genetically diverse despite having passed through substantial demographic bottlenecks. In this study we show that the retention of genetic variation in a partially recovered population of Nile crocodile is deceptive, as it masks the reality of a significant decline in the population’s effective size (N_e). Repeated episodes of unchecked hunting in the mid to late 20th century have today led to a five-fold decrease in the population’s N_e. Using current census data we estimate the contemporary N_e/N ratio as 0.05 and, in light of quotas that permit the ongoing removal of adults, simulated the likely effects of genetic drift on extant levels of variation. Results indicate that even if the current effective size is maintained, both allelic diversity and heterozygosity will decline. Our findings have complex implications for long-lived species; an emphasis on the retention of genetic variation alone, whilst disregarding the effects of population decline on effective size, may ultimately obscure the continued decline and extinction of exploited populations.     

暹罗鳄外周血白细胞提取物抗海豚链球菌感染的效果

通过细胞破碎和沉淀的方法从暹罗鳄(Crocodylus siamensis)外周血白细胞中获得提取物,并将此提取物以3种不同的方式注射小鼠,测定其在小鼠体内抗御海豚链球菌感染的效果。实验结果表明,若用海豚链球菌以腹腔注射感染小鼠,小鼠表现出明显病理症状,然后用不同浓度(2.2×103、2.2×102、2.2×101μg/ml)的提取物以腹腔注射小鼠,可使小鼠分别获得77.8％、55.6％、44.4％的相对保护率;若将海豚链球菌与不同浓度(2.2×103、2.2×102、2.2×101μg/ml)的提取物在体外等体积混合,然后将混合物以腹腔注射小鼠,可使小鼠分别获得55.6％、88.9％、77.8％的相对保护率;若将海豚链球菌以肌肉注射小鼠左腿,同时以不同浓度(2.2×103、2.2×102、2.2×101μg/ml)的提取物以肌肉注射小鼠右腿,可使小鼠分别获得77.8％、66.7％、44.4％的相对保护率。本实验的结论是：暹罗鳄外周血白细胞内存在一种或数种高效的抗菌物质,在小鼠体内能有效的防御由某些细菌导致的感染。     

暹罗鳄外周血白细胞提取物抗菌活性的初步研究

用离心和细胞破碎沉淀法提取暹罗鳄外周血白细胞的抗菌活性物质,测定其对10种细菌的体外抗菌活性。结果表明：暹罗鳄外周血白细胞提取物对埃希氏大肠杆菌、海豚链球菌、多杀性巴斯德菌、温和气单胞菌、金黄色葡萄球菌、嗜水气单胞菌、副溶血弧菌、溶藻弧菌、创伤弧菌、霍乱弧菌10种细菌均有一定的抗菌效力;其中,对海豚链球菌的抗菌效力最强,抑菌圈达22．1mm;对大肠杆菌的抗菌效力次之,抑菌圈达21．7mm;对霍乱弧菌的抗菌效力较弱,抑菌圈为7mm。实验还测定了理化因子对暹罗鳄外周血白细胞提取物抗菌活性的影响,发现其具有酸溶性、EDTA敏感性和热稳定性等特点。据此特点,初步确定暹罗鳄外周血白细胞中所含的抗菌活性物质是抗菌肽。比较了暹罗鳄外周血白细胞和密西西比红耳龟、花田鸡外周血白细胞提取物的抗菌效力的强弱,发现前者对于实验所用10种细菌的抗菌效力明显强于后两者;其中,对链球菌的抗菌效力,暹罗鳄外周血白细胞提取物最强,抑菌圈达21．3mm,密西西比红耳龟外周血白细胞提取物次之,抑菌圈为5．3mm,花田鸡白细胞提取物最弱,抑菌圈为0．67mm。说明暹罗鳄外周血白细胞中存在一种或数种具有广谱、高效的抗菌活性物质。     

Release of critically endangered crocodiles: Development and application of a food web approach to determine suitability of release habitat

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毛刺线虫（Nematoda：Trichodoridae）的调查鉴定

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Isolation and characterisation of crocosin,an antibacterial compound from crocodile (Crocodylus siamensis) plasma

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The effects of decreased body temperature on the onset,duration and action of medetomidine and its antagonist atipamezole in juvenile farmed estuarine crocodiles (Crocodylus porosus)

ObjectiveTo determine the efficacy of medetomidine for immobilisation of captive juvenile crocodiles over a range of temperatures, and its reversibility with atipamezole.Study designProspective experimental study.AnimalsForty male estuarine crocodiles (body weight 2.0 to 4.8 kg).MethodsEach crocodile was randomly assigned to one of four temperature groups: Group 1:32 °C; Group 2:27 °C; Group 3:22 °C; and Group 4:17 °C (n = 10 for each group). Medetomidine (0.5 mg kg^?1) was administered intramuscularly (IM) into the thoracic limb of all crocodiles. After 50 minutes, all animals from each group received 2.5 mg kg^?1 atipamezole IM in the opposite thoracic limb and time to recovery was documented. Heart and respiratory rates and the degree of immobilisation were monitored every 5 minutes until recovery, and behaviour monitored for 7 subsequent days.ResultsOnset of immobilisation occurred at 15 ± 10 minutes in Group 1, and at 30 ± 10 minutes in Groups 2 and 3. In Group 4, animals were not immobilised. Recovery following atipamezole was 10 ± 5 minutes at all temperatures. One-way analysis of variance (anova) demonstrated a significant difference in induction times between groups (p < 0.01) but not in recovery times following atipamezole administration (p < 0.25). Heart and respiratory rates decreased markedly following medetomidine administration and increased markedly following atipamezole reversal.Conclusions and clinical relevanceMedetomidine administered in the thoracic limb of juvenile captive estuarine crocodiles provides profound sedation or immobilisation at temperatures of 22 °C and above. Atipamezole administered in the contralateral thoracic limb results in consistent reversal of the effects of medetomidine and a return to normal behaviour within 15–20 minutes regardless of temperature. Even though immobilisation is not induced at 17 °C, profound reversible sedation does occur reliably and repeatably.     

Preliminary studies of chemical immobilization of captive juvenile estuarine (Crocodylus porosus) and Australian freshwater (C. johnstoni) crocodiles with medetomidine and reversal with atipamezole

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Medetomidine immobilisation and atipamezole reversal in large estuarine crocodiles (Crocodylus porosus) using metabolically scaled dosages

Background Restraint of large estuarine crocodiles is potentially dangerous. Neuromuscular blockers and other immobilising drugs have been used with variable results. Medetomidine has been reported as a reliable, repeatable and reversible immobilisation agent in small estuarine crocodilians. Methods and Results Two wild and two farmed male animals, between 3.05 and 4.6 m long, were hand‐injected into a triceps muscle with a metabolically scaled medetomidine dosage. Immobilisation occurred within 30 min. At the conclusion of the procedures, 70 min after medetomidine administration, three animals were injected with atipamezole IM into the opposite triceps muscle at a dosage based on body surface area. Reversal occurred within 5 min. The fourth animal was intubated prior to reversal of medetomidine and maintained on isoflurane anaesthesia for a gastrotomy. All animals were monitored closely post recovery and then regularly for at least 1 week. Conclusions Medetomidine at a metabolically scaled dosage delivered IM into the forelimb was effective for immobilising large estuarine crocodiles for at least 40 min. Atipamezole administered at a dosage calculated as a function of surface area effectively reversed this immobilisation.     

First evidence of Kunjin strain of West Nile virus associated with saltwater crocodile (Crocodylus porosus) skin lesions

Recently, the Kunjin strain of West Nile virus (WNV_KUN) has been detected using qRT‐PCR in belly skin lesions of farmed juvenile saltwater crocodiles. This follows an established association between similar lesions and West Nile virus in American alligators. The lesions present as cutaneous lymphohistiocytic aggregates in the dermal layers of both species. While these lesion do not create an obvious defect on the live crocodile, upon tanning the lesion area collapses and does not uptake the dye evenly, thus reducing its aesthetic appeal. As a result, skins are being rejected jeopardising the economic viability of the Australian crocodile industry. Over 50 skin lesions have since been confirmed as WNV_KUN‐positive and preliminary evidence of lesion restructuring is presented. Horizontal transmission of WNV_KUN by mosquitoes is well‐established but other transmission routes, such as ingestion and cloacal shedding, need further evaluation. An infection trial is currently underway to ensure WNV_KUN is the causative agent of these skin lesions.